Ron Davis Radiators

[Scrrem]

For those running Ron Davis Radiators...I was doing some work at a friends house yesterday when the question came up...why don't I have a drain petock on my Ron Davis radiator? I can't locate the documentaiton that came with my radiator, but I seem to recall it saying that brass and aluminum don't work and play well together and the plug should only be aluminum. Can anyone else chime in here?
Rich

[secondchance]

Rich,

Different metals, especially in presence of electrolyte (i.e. coolant) will result in corrosion.
"when two or more (metals) come into contact in an electrolyte, one metal acts as anode and the other as cathode".

Some of our throttle bodies bubbling finish around the top plate is due to same scenario.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion

[WVZR-1]

Ron Davis actually in their install instructions actually has continuity tests that they suggest using to confirm the continuity of the cooling system and the coolant.

http://www.rondavisradiators.com/tech.htm

I believe that a petcock if desired from Ron Davis is an "add-on" to the build. Most later OE petcocks weren't of brass construction either. Most are a composite product. I would think having a petcock added to the radiator wouldn't be terrible nuisance if you wanted.

GM quit building OE radiators with drain-cocks in '01 or so and an over the counter replacement will NOT have a petcock even if the OE did. I would guess a suction device for evacuating the coolant is the desired method.

[Scrrem]

Thanks Dave, Yeah I guess I need to look for a plastic petcock if I want to add one, because ones made out of brass are a no-no on all aluminum radiators.
Rich